Multiple purpose warhead

Abstract

The invention relates to a multiple purpose warhead which is provided with a spike-forming cladding, with projectile-forming layers and with preshaped splinters, respectively splinter layers. For the simultaneous combatting of hard and semi-hard material targets as well as soft targets the impact precision, the penetration capacity and thereby the effectiveness of the multiple purpose warhead is increased relative to the multiple purpose warheads of the state of the art. The multiple purpose warhead of this invention includes within a multiple purpose warhead casing 7 at least three effective parts 1, 2, 3. This arrangement achieves optimum, however, different, target effectiveness and a separate dosable explosive charge 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 corresponding to the different target requirements by providing corresponding different claddings for each effective part. There is provided between a first effective part formed as a hollow charge 6.1 and a third effective part formed as a splinter-forming warhead 9 a projectile-forming layer 22 which forms the second effective part. There is provided within two mutually confronting conically shaped recesses 10, 11 arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis 12, on the one hand, an ignition arrangement 14 and, on the other hand, an inert-insert 13, whereby a common ignition of all effective parts is made possible and flaw-free detonation wave guidance is also effected not only with a spike-formation, but also with the projectile-formation thereby increasing the destructive capacity of the multiple purpose warhead.

We claim: 
     
       1. An improved multiple purpose warhead having at least three combat-effective cylindrically shaped portions of equal diameter arranged in axial alignment one behind the other in said warhead, each one of said portions including an explosive charge as well as a different type of cladding, the front-most first portion having a forwardly directed open spike-shaped cladding and a hollow charge, a second portion adjoins said first portion and has an outer layer as well as ignition means operatively connected to said explosive charges disposed in said three portions for simultaneously igniting them, the improvement comprising said outer layer of the second portion has projectile forming characteristics, the explosive charge of said second portion has two symmetrical axially extending conical recesses whose apices confront each other and whose bases confront the respective axial ends of said warhead, the diameter d 1  of said bases is smaller than the diameter d 2  of said explosive charges which are respectively operatively mounted in said first and third portions, whereby said difference in diameters d 2  -d 1  is such that upon detonation of the explosive charge in said second middle portion a ring-shaped simultaneous detonation of the explosive charges in said first and third portions is effected, and said conical recess in said second portion whose base confronts said first portion has an inert conical insert.   
     
     
       2. The improvement in a multiple purpose warhead as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ignition means are disposed between the confronting points of the conically shaped recesses in the second portion. 
     
     
       3. The improvement in a multiple purpose warhead as set forth in claim 1, wherein said third portion includes a splinter forming layer. 
     
     
       4. The improvement in a multiple purpose warhead as set forth in claim 3, wherein a fourth portion and more additional effective portions are provided, wherein each alternating portion adjoining said fourth portion has a conically shaped recess in which a metallic insert is disposed for the central ignition of the adjoining portion.